Some weeks ago, I initiated a Change.org petition to address what I thought were problems with Facebook’s policy regarding images of mastectomy. A handful of images had been removed from The SCAR Project‘s page and the project’s founder, David Jay, was banned from posting for 30 days for being in violation of Facebook’s terms of service. In addition, some months ago Anne Marie Giannino-Otis faced a similar problem when she posted her own mastectomy images on Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer.

So many women have pages that help to educate women and men about the realities of breast cancer. Each, in their own way, actively pushes against the pink tide that focuses solely on awareness and early detection and keeps the reality of what this disease does to so many. But these images are vitally important in that each tells a story; and as they do, they begin to heal those affected and they open a healthy dialogue in the public and the private sphere. I did not want these stories silenced as the result of a vaguely written policy that left these images vulnerable to individuals who would report them because they were personally affronted. These images are posted within a particular context; this isn’t about sexualized breasts or objectifying women. This is, quite simply, about life and death.

As the number of signatures began to grow and media outlets picked up the story, Facebook reached out to discuss the issue. To be clear, the Facebook representatives with whom we spoke that morning were neither hostile to the issue of breast cancer nor to images of mastectomy. Far from it. But the fact remained that the Facebook policy on posting images of mastectomy was so vague and ill-defined that it provided little guidance to both the individuals at Facebook responsible for reviewing reported content and to those who wanted to post their images. [Please note: Facebook does not actively search for content to remove, but only reviews content after it has been reported.]

I am really pleased to tell you that conversations among Facebook representatives, David Jay, Change.org representative Stephanie Feldstein, and me have resulted in a much improved policy regarding the use of mastectomy images on Facebook. Where the former policy vaguely allowed images of “the mastectomy process,” the images are now correctly placed within the context of breast cancer and their importance in raising awareness of the real scourge of this disease and supporting those affected by it. This is critical as it will assist those whose responsibility it is to review reported content. And it will also help those who wish to post images of mastectomy on their personal pages. In a very real sense, this is a victory for both Facebook and its users.

As world events go, this is a relatively small thing. But this just goes to show that when we collaborate with one another on something bigger than ourselves we can effect really positive change.

You are definitely the Champion ‘Grumbler’ for doing this. Best part is that you and everyone concerned behaved like grownups. How utterly refreshing! Maybe y’all could provide some civility lessons to Congress…but that’s a whole nuther issue. You dah bomb, girlfriend. But I already knew that. xxoo

Damn right these pictures need to be out there to combat the sexualized BCA crap out there. Speaking as one who has pictures of her nipple-free tattooed cancer breast on her blog–these pictures need to be there; I made my decision to NOT do reconstruction because SCAR was the first place I saw images that looked like my own body after surgery.
I took down my Facebook page months ago for personal, non-cancer related reasons. I may get back on there eventually, but as of now know little of their policies. I find it interesting that FB reps do not actively search for offensive pics, the pics get reported? So who the hell reported the SCAR photos as offensive? To these people I say: “Breasts damaged from cancer offend you? Yeah me too, but it happened, this is reality, and I have to look at it in the mirror everyday–hope it doesn’t happen to you so you don’t have to see it. You cannot make the world better just by wishing bad things away.” I better stop there, I feel a tantrum coming on.

Congratulations, Scorchy! This is not a small thing, as you say, but a HUGE victory for all of us. Thank you for being the voice of change and for inspiring the powers that be to do the right thing. And you’ve done all of this even when feeling like crap and dealing with crappy news… You inspire us to push for change and to do what’s right. And we are all right there behind you.

This victory — your victory — makes me feel as though we might just be able to shatter the pink ceiling if we all stick together. Today, Facebook. Tomorrow, the world. (Well, maybe not the world just yet! 😉 )

“As world events go, this is a relatively small thing”. GTFOOH…this is huge!!! Pulling your resources together to get behind this on Change.org and pushing back with your voice is a tremendous accomplishment in support of tens of thousands of people. When is the last time you did that? Bravo my dear, BRAVO!!!!!!